French Provincial Furniture – Page 30 – Historical French Decorating

70 Picture Inspirations Of French Provence Style Interiors

Posted on March 4, 2015October 25, 2021
by Meranda

Grand Provence Style-maison-deco.com

French furniture in the 17th and 18th centuries has been considered to be some of the most breathtaking furniture in history. In 1610 when Louis XIII took the throne, the furniture styles around the regions of France started developing their own signature styles. In Provence, furnishings were carved from walnut, while in Normandy, oak was popular for making armoires, buffets, and vaisseliers.

The Provencal style has always been inspired by the beautiful colors of France. The atmosphere of the countryside picks up the bright colors of lavender, yellow, mint and blue. Provencal style changes with the colors of the seasons. The dirt and natural settings seen around France has been the inspiration for earthenware and ceramic hand-painted pottery.

Some of the key elements of this style are stone flooring, rustic furniture,wrought iron accessories, tin enamel, painted pottery, raw cotton and linen. Architectural elements such as beams and alcoves, basin sinks, concrete corbels bring in the antique elements we all desire and admire. Soft, linen curtains and heavy linen upholstery has been a timeless choice for sofas, side chairs, slipcovers and cushions. The perfection of raw-wood furniture has been thought to be a noble choice for furnishings for centuries. Working with rustic hardware, such as wrought iron brings to mind the pastoral, country living that many people find refuge in. It is not only a style, but a way of life that is deeply anchored in a traditional way of life.

Moissonnier Furniture

Old World French Provence Homes- maison-deco.com

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How to Achieve a Great Red Paint Finish

Posted on March 4, 2015October 25, 2021
by Meranda

Jansen, 1950’s Louis XV style Coffee Table L’Art De Vivre

How to Achieve a Great Red Paint Finish

A friend of mine painted her living room walls a true red color. She primed twice and painted 5 coats. The paint didn’t cover at all and you could see all the roller strokes. Even with the 5 coats, you can still see some lines and the color is uneven, like you can see where some coats are covered better than others. Is there a certain step she could have taken to prevent all this or did she just get low quality paint? She bought the primer from Canadian Tire and the paint is CIL Dulux. The wall had been painted already, it is an older home. She was originally told that the red she picked was such a true red that it wouldn’t just go over white walls. She is considering priming them over again with a white primer and starting over. Shouldn’t she get a tinted primer? Any insight into all this would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance……. Val

This comment was taken from Allexperts.com

Where most people go wrong with painting red is they end up working with the wrong sheen for their first coat of paint. Working with a gloss or a semi gloss finish is sort of like working with a translucent glaze.

I learned this first hand when I picked up a glossy orange paint at my local Home Depot and proceeded to work with it as a base to a marble finish. I ended up ditching the entire project as after 5 coats of orange, I could still see the original white color underneath the paint. Much like Val’s question all I could see is roller marks.

When working with shades of cranberry, plum, or rich fire reds, buy your paint in a flat finish for your first two coats of paint. Using a coat of flat paint that contains no additional glosses will allow you to build up the color in two or layers with excellent coverage.

How to Achieve a Great Red Painted Furniture Finish.

Furniture is much different than walls, but the same techniques can be applied. Be sure to sand your furniture first which will provide something for the paint to grip on to. You can then use flat red as a base coat, which will allow you to sand through to expose the wood. In the past, if I needed to cover a piece of furniture that needed a heavy duty primer I would use Rustoleum’s Flat Black, or Brown. Red can provide that pop of color in a neutral styled French room. Use it on furniture for that dramatic look in a otherwise plain room.

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18th Century French Style By Coorengel Calvagrac

Posted on March 4, 2015October 25, 2021
by Meranda

Michel Coorengel Photo Credit April 2013 Elle Decor

Photography by William Waldron

When interior decorator Michel Coorengel and his partner Jean Pierre Calvagrac first met, they discovered a mutual passion for antiques and decoration. Born and raised in Holland, Michel is half Dutch and half Indonesian whereas Jean Pierre is a native of France. “We had both studied law and had similar tastes,” explains Michel who started his career working for antiques dealers and decorators during his school holidays.

This 18th-century estate above had fallen to disrepair over the years when designer Michael Coorengel and Jean-Pierre Calvagrac, of Coorengel and Calvagrac, were hired to renovate the estate, which lasted over three and a half years. The pair transformed this estate by selecting age appropriate paint colors, drapery and antique furniture. Through the process the designers stumbled upon a thrilling discovery. Several rooms which had been boarded up and forgotten for decades revealed antiques untouched for years. It was there that they revealed 18th-century painted chinoiserie panels and gilded-bronze candelabras, and so much more. Read more about this at Elle Decor

Here are several more spectacular rooms from this team of designers.

Previous Works

-Louis XVI armchair covered in Verel de Belval silk in drawing room with renaissance walnut table and grey taffeta window hangings, also by Verel de Belval – See Here

-A satin covered Louis XVI canape in front of a wooden sculpture of Saint Joseph in a drawing room with grey taffeta window hangings from Verel de Belval” – See Here

-Three plaster head busts placed on glass columns designed by Coorengel and Calvagrac – See Here

-A restoration daybed or lit de repos covered in red silk satin by Prelle in a blue room, with white columns, gilded wall sconces and lion skin rug with mounted head- See Here

-A pair of vermeil and jade candelabra by Puiforcat on a restoration gueridon with white marble top in blue room with lion rug and red daybed – See Here

-A mahogany Louis Phillip bed and circular table in bedroom with Jansen 1940 bronze and brass chandelier and a wrought iron astrolabe from ‘Aero’ in NY. A 17C portrait of Louis XVI hangs on the wall. – See Here

-A head bust of Voltaire on a Louis Phillip table along with an astrolabe from Aero, NY. A mink blanket is draped on an 18C chair in front of a marble mantelpiece. – See Here

-A pair of rattan chairs by Jean Michel Frank flank a 1940’s plaster column and vase in room with wrought iron table with a mercury glass top and parquet floor- See Here

-A portriat of the Count de Quelen above a Louis XV style desk in room with a white vase in faience and a silk chinese lantern. On the desk is a sterling sillver bowel by Jean Puiforcat – See Here

Michel Coorengel Photo Credit April 2013 Elle Decor

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How To Buy Second Hand French Furniture

Posted on November 24, 2014October 25, 2021
by Meranda

1950s French Provincial Commode by Cassard Chateau Romano NYC – Quality Is Key On Ebay

Vintage French Provincial furniture can look fabulous when it is re-finished. Chances are you have seen these pieces at thrift stores, garage sales, on craigslist and kijiji that with a little improvement, these pieces can look old and worn to fit into a Provincial decorating theme.

Here are a couple tips to pulling off this look:

1.) Inspect Before You Buy-

There are styles and brands that are not worth the money. Whether you purchase second hand furniture on Craigslist, or a garage/estate sale, open up drawers in cabinets, sit in chairs and lean on tables.

Hardwood furniture will allow you to do more with the piece than something with MDF. You can strip down wood furniture and leave it raw, and pair it with iron hardware, typically seen in French interiors.

Hardwoods such as oak and maple are some of the strongest furniture. Decide if the piece is solid wood, or compressed wood. Factor that in when making an offer on the furniture.

Even a low quality piece can be transformed, so decide where it is going, and what you plan on doing with it before you invest your hard earned cash. Laminate and veneer furniture can be beautiful, so don’t discount a piece just because it isn’t solid wood.

Depending on if you plan on stripping, or painting the piece will also determine if the piece will work for the project and placement in your home.

2. Consider Reupholstering A French Sofa, Chair Or Settee

When looking at french upholstered pieces, consider what they may look like with new fabric. I have seen sofas as low as $50 dollars, and when you factor in upholstery, you could get the look you want for under $500 dollars. Investigate the businesses in your area which can either make slipcovers, or give a sofa or settee a brand new look with new fabric.

Vintage furniture has been made with better workmanship and quality products years ago. Instead of passing over an old Louis XV chair at a antique store, think of the potential with it having brand new heavy linen, and distressing applied to it’s frame.

3. Metal Furniture Happens To Be A Staple Of French Provincial Style

Wrought iron tables, benches, shelves, and accessories are one of the foundational looks in Provence style. When you stumble across second hand metal furniture, think of the potential as opposed to how it looks. Rust can look terrific in an old world home, so if the piece is rusty, and old, it may work out to your advantage. Metal furniture looks terrific outside, and works great when paired with stone for your interior.

4. Re-Purpose With An Open Mind

Twin beds can be re-purposed into long benches, or made into a sofa for the patio. A dresser can be turned into sink for the bathroom. A long table can be chopped down to be an island for the kitchen.

Look at the bones to see if you can re-purpose it into something else. Investigate the local wood carpenters in your area to pull off a design that may be a little bit more complicated.

5. Strip Furniture For A Raw Look

There is nothing more sophisticated than looking at the beauty of wood. Strip your furniture down to the bare bones, and work with old iron hardware and furniture ormolu to add an upscale French feel. Heavily distress your pieces by creating dents and dings with heavy iron chains and hammers. Work with wax or dead flat varnish to seal your wood for a matte appearance.

6. Dulling Down Brightly Painted Furniture

To achieve that old world appearance, work with brown glaze. Applying a coat of glaze, can dull down any brighter paint color making it appear more antique than freshly painted. Glaze often comes in a clear mixture which you can tint by adding regular paint to the mix. Brown produces the look of dirt which can make it appear as though the chest is several years old.

How To Glaze:

Buy your glaze in a quart or gallon size, and only pour out the amount I need for a project into a different plastic container. Simply mix in a quart container 75% glaze and %25 percent paint, or less. Brush on the glaze on your dresser, and simply remove with a damp WHITE face cloth a few moments later. After it dries your piece of furniture will have that antique appeal.

Ashley Welch‘s French Provincial Dresser

A little bit of sanding, and this dresser could have a beautiful rustic effect. The pink details are either from priming, or possibly hand painted. The peeling paint give this dresser the old look we all love.

Annie Sloan Painted Provence Dressers From Diamonds & Toads

Classic gray can be the perfect color to improve vintage pieces. Here you see the handles also painted in the same color. These pieces could nicely fit into any chateau in France.

Poppycottage – Etsy

White Dishware, Zinc Buckets, Raw Wood French Provence Style- Seen On Isabellang.blogspot.com

Gorgeous photo of antique linens – via Alex Wijnen flickr.com

A vintage French table is given a special paint finish to make it appear old.

American Custom Painted Table A. Tyner Antiques

Another beautiful paint finish by A. Tyner Antiques

Fitted Table Cloth From Tablecloth Ruffled Linens On etsy

French Provincial Sofa Seen On Vignette Design Blog

vignettedesign.blogspot.com

Decorating With Wire and Raw Wood

fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com

Flea Market Antique Dolls- flickriver.com

Replacing doors with chicken wire is one way of adding an old world feel to a vintage piece.

This cabinet was re-finished by Urban Farmgirl

Vintage French Provincial Dixie Drop Leaf White From Ebay

Turn old iron sewing tables into dining room tables, or upholster the sewing machine benches

Upholstered Fabric Metal Bench – US $119.95 On Ebay

French Louis XVI Style Carved Arm Chair $395 On Ebay

Grain Sack Graphic Woolen Pillows From Pink Pig on esty

Stencils are the perfect way of adding depth to your french accessories. The possibilites are endless.

Diamonds & Toads | Facebook

Iron Patio Furniture Seen In Veranda Magazine – April 2010

Go with raw wood- Campagne decoration

Upholster With Vintage Linen Fabrics – Campagne decoration

French Chest – A. Tyner Antiques

Raw French Furniture and White Washed Hardware jenneliserose.blogspot.com

Cafe Chairs Used Inside- Designer Carolyn Espley-Miller- House Beautiful

An inexpensive way to decorate- collect white based buttons and store them in glass jars.

Decorating With Buttons – Provence Accessory Ideas elizabethhousestlouis.blogspot.com

French Style Baskets- Atelier De Campagne Antiques

atelierdecampagneantiques.blogspot.com

Decorating With Wicker- A Classic French Look – Pinterest

Vintage Dress Form – browndresswithwhitedots.tumblr.com

French Country Bergere Living Room Chair From Carrocel Restorations

Provence Decorating- Grape Buckets – dreamywhites.blogspot.com

French Flower Buckets In Zinc- raisedincotton.typepad.com

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9 Homes Decorated Around The European Old World French Styles

Posted on October 24, 2014October 25, 2021
by Meranda

“Gerard Tremolet’s chateau in Normandy, France.

French provincial color palettes are usually inspired by hues found in the countryside of France. Brick red, dark brown, forest green, cornflower blue and weathered white are all good candidates for the wall colors in a French provincial room. Muted shades, or those colors that have a bit of gray added, are best, as they amplify the time-worn appearance of the architecture often found in France. For an authentic look and feel, use a faux finish, such as color washing, to give the walls added depth, dimension and texture. The end result will be walls with an Old World appeal.

Add the classic look found in France by incorporating an armoire, or large carved storage cabinet. Armoires are often painted and distressed showing darker weathered wood. Use storage pieces to show off dishes, bedroom linens, jars, metal objects and plaster carvings.

Ladder-back chairs have also been quite popular with natural, rush seats for a country style French appearance. Work with tufted, upholstered piece to accent the design style.

1. Marie-Lise Dulac Fery’s Apartment in Lyon

The apartment is located in the 19th century old building in Lyon, it’s been completely renovated and redesigned. The long corridors were removed as well as the walls. Only the large and elegant arched windows and old doors were preserved. The owner, Marie-Lise Dulac Fery, is a young antiques dealer and decorator.

2. Monique Waque’s Country House In Germany

Canadian Monique Waque’s picturesque cottage seems like it comes straight out of a fairy tale. It was renovated by the previous owners and she re-decorated using the colors that evoke the French / Scandinavian style.

3. Gerard Tremolet’s chateau in Normandy, France.

This home was featured in Elle Decor October 2012. The walls and curtains are of a Thevenon toile de Jouy, and the bed’s alcove is covered in taffeta, the armchair is Louis XV,and the rug is Russian.” You won’t see a more classic French style home.

4. Aurélien Deleuze and his wife, Pascale

Aurélien Deleuze and his wife, Pascale, completed a careful restoration of 17th century chateau – Pau, South of France. The owners found gorgeous antiques in Parisian flea markets and every room is tastefully decorated in the French style. The home has gorgeous stucco ceilings, original floors, a large kitchen with an impressive fireplace from the 1600s. In the dining room, a rustic table of chestnut planks is where the family has their dinners.

5. Nicky Haslam’s Home

Your going to love the wallpaper in this home. Fowler installed an over-sized Mauny wallpaper in the hall, staircase and second floor landing. Eventually it became so old and fragile, that Nicky asked Mauny to remake the discontinued print just for him – which they did. WOW!

Chateau de Gizeux in the Loire | Yohann Legrand

6. Chateau de Gizeux in the Loire

Ivy Clad featured remarkable pictures of Chateau de Gizeux, which originally was featured in the October 2012 World of Interiors article. The grand salon, as well as other rooms and corridors, were vandalized or fell into disrepair through lack of maintenance. In the Mid 16th century, the walls were elaborately painted by Italian artists to suit the tastes for courtly life favored by the then-owners. Visit the site HERE for more beautiful shots of the chateau inside and out.

7. Old Farmhouse of Sculptor Yves Bosquet

Since 1961, Yves Bosquet, sculptor and painter, resides in Waterloo, just outside Brussels, on an old farm, which in the past was used by Napoleon during his last defeat in 1815, to prepare and conduct the famous battle. The house is filled with a collection of precious objects. When Bosquet bought the home, there was enough space for a comfortable studio with a kiln. Over the time the owners, Bosquet and his wife, renovated the house and garden and added to it in the French country style. {corriere.it}

8. 11th Century French Property-Perigord, France

An 11th century French property is located in the Cognac Vineyards. The home is currently run as a hotel, with it’s 11 suited bedrooms, and would be the perfect weekend getaway to the French countryside. Keeping with the French theme, this house has kept it’s historical integrity throughout and immaculately maintained.

9. 17th Century In The Old World Style Home in Perigord, France-

This home rests on 3.5 hectares of riverside grounds and parkland. The main house features 4 living rooms, 2 kitchens, 9 bedrooms (7 with en suites) & 2 studies. Maxwell-Storrie-Baynes

Antique French Louis XV Style Vanity Stool, Seen On Quality Is Key On Ebay

Petite French Louis XVI Style Carved & Painted Bergere Arm Chairs, Quality Is Key On Ebay

Marie-Lise Dulac Fery’s Apartment in Lyon

Country House In Germany

Gerard Tremolet- Seen In elledecor.com

Set of Louis XV Cane back Chairs, Jacques’ Antiques

Country House In Germany

Aurélien Deleuze and his wife, Pascale

Gerard Tremolet- Seen In elledecor.com

Aurélien Deleuze and his wife, Pascale

French Settee Painted In White From Lisa Liby Ryan

French Side Table with Antique White Painted Finish, Judy Frankel Antiques

Aurélien Deleuze and his wife, Pascale

Nicky Haslam’s Home- nh-design.co.uk

C 1850s Lovely Original Paint French Bench Dearing Antiques

Nicky Haslam ~ sentimental accessories from his home: self-portrait of Cecil Beaton, a David Hockney wax sketch, French candlesticks, a Lucian Freud engraving Lucian brought to lunch as a gift and plans for a palace for the Duke of Waterloo to rival Versailles which the Duke turned down Found on pictures.lonny.com

Vtg Italian Carved Green & Gold Gilt Wood French Neoclassical Style Wall Mirror

Seen On Quality Is Key On Ebay

Chateau de Gizeux in the Loire

Provencal Armchairs –Maison de Provence – New Orleans

Old Farmhouse of Sculptor Yves Bosquet

French Paper Back Books From English Country Antiques

Old Farmhouse of Sculptor Yves Bosquet

A pair of French Louis XVI style open arm chairs with carved beechwood frames painted gray, the leaf and floral motif detailed frames having tapering fluted legs and ribbon carving. Upholstered seats, back, and armrests covered in blue velvet.- David Duncan Antiques

Old Farmhouse of Sculptor Yves Bosquet

Vintage French Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Oversized Bergere Arm Chair Settee

Seen On Quality Is Key On Ebay

Antique French Louis XV Style Carved Wing Back Settee Sofa Jansen Style

Seen On Quality Is Key On Ebay

Antique French Louis XVI Style Carved Wood Fire Side Arm Chair Jansen Style Vtg

Seen On Quality Is Key On Ebay

Chateau de Gizeux

Elizabeth Pash Antiques

18thC Provincial Pine French Table With Coral Marble

Parc Monceau – Home – Atlanta, Ga

18th Century Painted Cabinet from Provence- Country French Interiors

11th Century French Property-Perigord, France

11th century French Property located in the Cognac Vineyards.

17th Century In The Old World Style featuring a home in Perigord, France which rests on 3.5 hectares of riverside grounds and parkland. The main house features 4 living rooms, 2 kitchens, 9 bedrooms (7 with en suites) & 2 studies. Maxwell-Storrie-Baynes

Perigord, France 17th Century Home

Pair of Vintage French Louis XV Style Cream Distress Painted Tufted Settees Sofa

Seen On Quality Is Key On Ebay

Antique French Louis XV Style Painted Marble Top Occasional Coffee Side Table

Seen On Quality Is Key On Ebay

Perigord, France 17th Century Home

Set of 3 Napoleon III Period Chairs- Jacques’ Antiques

Aurélien Deleuze and his wife, Pascale

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Decorating With The Color Green French Provence Style

Posted on April 8, 2014October 25, 2021
by Meranda

Color Inspiration from here, , here, here, and here

There are so many ways to decorate with green, where do you start? One starting point is to find a shade that you love. Borrow color combination ideas from vintage packaging. French packaging often pairs together colors that just work with one another.

Here are just a few of the colors that are found in France……

– Artichoke – the color of fresh uncooked artichoke.

– Fern Green is a vivid shade of green that resembles ferns. Fern green was used in 1902.

–Laurel green is a medium light hue of greenish gray, first used as a color in 1705.

–Myrtle green, represents the color of the leaves of the Myrtle plant, first used as a color in 1835

–Teal is a dark cyan color that is seen on the neck of a duck. – Colors From Wikipedia

How To Decorate With Shades of Green

– Add In Green Foliage – Don’t forget the blossoms, says Nicole Sforza. “Consider green (or greenish) flowers. Forsythia branches, which bloom yellow before sprouting bright green leaves, look great on the console. The Billy buttons, arranged in a light green vase on the table, can last up to two weeks. Also try Lenten roses, which have soft green flowers and foliage.” Real Simple Magazine

– Use Muted Shades of Green– In this link, Martha Stewart shows off 24 of the best rooms decorated around green that were originally featured in her magazines over the years. In all the pictures, one common trait exists, – she uses old world colors that are muted.

– Pair Natural Wood With Lighter Blues and Green Painted Walls Natural Wood Tones– Stephanie Hoppen says “sandy beiges, and limewash finishes balance barely-there blue rooms. And don’t forget about paint finishes. Chalky flat finishes are warm, while shiny blues will give a bit of a chill”

– Use Muted Softer Colors In Main Rooms, And Brighter Ones In Less Used Rooms– Sasha Emerson, an interior designer says “When choosing a blue hue, consider how often you’re in the room. For example, don’t choose a very bold blue for a living room — you might tire of the color. Save it for a den or a playroom and pick a more serene tone for central living spaces”

– Cooler Tones Can Work With Glass or Mirrors -Stephanie Hoppen says “Frosty blues are elegant with soft creams and shiny accents such as glass. Take the chill off icy colors by teaming them with warm browns, reds, or oranges”

– Pair Jewel Tones Together -Jennifer Flanders says, “The color emerald is synonymous with wealth, prosperity and luxury, so I think it naturally works with other colors that evoke the same air of richness and elegance. Many other jewel tones mix well with emerald green, but in particular I love this color with deep blues and shimmery golds.”

Color Combinations- Real Simple Magazine gives us 4 color combinations.

Pair together moss green and soft blue. Think about colors that play off nature. The soft colors found in trees, and sky. You can go bolder with both colors, or really soft subtle shades in the ligher hues.
Sea Foam Green and Chocolate. Think about darker floors, with painted green distressed furniture. Chocolate walls, with lighter green accessories. Sea-foam wall colors, with darker rustic WOOD accessories.
Consider the classic Rugby- Kelly green and bright white. Go for a bit of a bold contrast with the brilliant Kelly green and white as an accent.
Pair together lime green and soft pink. These two colors can give a soft appearance. Consider filling an over-sized glass vase with pink cherry blossoms.

Home Beautiful’s Color Selections

The Oprah Winfrey Collection

Check out my favorite pieces from Oprah’s collection here

Cabinet Bonnier de La Mosson

Joseph Bonnier de la Mosson (1702 – 1744), was a French aristocrat who loved science and began collecting exotic insects, snakes, shells and birds. These wooden cases were acquired in 1744 when they were auctioned off following the death of Joseph Bonnier de la Maison, whom was an extremely knowledgeable amateur scientist and connoisseur of art.

They were installed in the King’s Garden Room. Inside these five units made from Dutch wood decorated with serpents a collection of preserved [“dried”] animals. In 1935, the cabinets were disassembled, and were installed permanently in the the Museum of Natural History in the Jardin des Plantes central library in 1979. They are considered an “Historic Monument.”

Borrow this look for yourself, by painting your French furniture a muted shade of light green, and use a shade of white paint to bring out the carved features in your french furniture….